System for providing application and management service and modifying user interface and method thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a system for downloading an application from a server and providing the same to a client by using a short message or a subscriber interface module (SIM) card. The system modifies a function key for each application according to a client&#39;s selection, and randomly modifies a user interface used for selecting an application. The system extends a usage range of the SIM card. The system periodically checks and analyzes the client&#39; use log for a predetermined time, presents at least one application to the client according to the analysis result on the use log, provides a single application selected by the client to the client, and updates at least one application stored in the client mobile terminal according to the analysis result on the use log. Therefore, the system increases service satisfaction for the client.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing anapplication and a management service and modifying a user interface.More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and methodfor providing an application to a mobile terminal by using a shortmessage or a subscriber interface module (SIM) card, providing amanagement service, and modifying a user interface for each application.

BACKGROUND ART

As functions of mobile terminals have been diversified and upgraded,various functions such as transmission and reception of short messagesand moving picture mails, a phonebook, a scheduler, a calculator, atelephone directory, and a moving picture game have been added inaddition to voice call processing which is an essential function of themobile terminal.

Further, when a user selects various functions on the mobile terminal,drive screens corresponding to the respective function keys aredisplayed in various ways, and the drive screens are modifiableaccording to the user's preference irrespective of time and location.

The modifiable drive screens are stored in the mobile terminal in itsmanufacturing process, and reduce the user's service satisfactionbecause the number of modifiable drive screens is very much limited.

The function for bookmarking frequently accessed web sites intoFavorites from among the various additional functions of the mobileterminals also provides services undesirable by the user when theservice of the corresponding uniform resource locator (URL) is changed.

One of European communication schemes for mobile terminals is the globalsystem for mobile communication (GSM).

The GSM uses a SIM card for certifying the mobile terminal user andregistering networks, and the SIM card is a smart card that is removablefrom the mobile terminal, includes a microprocessor and a memory chip,and is classified as an IC card type and a plug-in type.

The SIM card stores subscriber information and mobile terminaloperational data that are installed and loaded to the mobile terminal,that is, subscriber information such as a user password and data fornetwork registration. Hence, the application of the SIM card is limited.

In addition, provided is a function for analyzing used logs of therespective mobile terminals and recommending and providing URLs ofwireless Internet services frequently used by the corresponding client.

However, the conventional URL recommendation function generallypersonalizes initial menus, provides recommendation menus, and providesthe client's usage history, and hence, it provides limited services andworsens the client's service satisfaction.

In detail, the application field of personalization is provided when abrowser or a platform is driven after the client accesses the wirelessInternet by using his mobile terminal, and the application field islimited and is only provided to the client who is skillful in using thewireless Internet.

Therefore, it is not easy for the client who is not skillful indownloading applications to directly download applications of newversions and use the same.

In addition, provided is a function for analyzing used logs of therespective mobile terminals and recommending and providing URLs ofwireless Internet services frequently used by the corresponding client.

However, the conventional URL recommendation function generallypersonalizes initial menus, provides recommendation menus, and providesthe client's usage history, and hence, it provides limited services andworsens the client's service satisfaction.

In detail, the application field of personalization is provided when abrowser or a platform is driven after the client accesses the wirelessInternet by using his mobile terminal, and the application field islimited and is only provided to the client who is skillful in using thewireless Internet.

Therefore, it is not easy for the client who is not skillful indownloading applications to directly download applications of newversions and use the same.

That is, the conventional mobile terminal causes inconvenience ofaccessing or searching for a plurality of URLs by the client when theclient attempts to download a desired application (e.g., an applicationfor executing a character raising game such as Tamagutchi), which wastesthe user's time and money and worsens service satisfaction.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

It is an advantage of the present invention to allow downloading of aspecific application including a game depending on a connection state ofa short message.

It is another advantage of the present invention to allow downloading ofat least one application by using an application ID stored in a SIMcard, and thereby increase the application field of SIM card.

It is still another advantage of the present invention to allowselecting of a function key corresponding to the downloaded application,and allow the client to modify the name of the selected function key.

It is still yet another advantage of the present invention to update theapplications stored in the mobile terminal or periodically provide newapplications by periodically checking used logs of client mobileterminals.

Technical Solution

In a first aspect of the present invention, in a system connected to aserver for providing a user interface modifying/providing servicethrough a wired/wireless communication network, the system for receivinga short message from the server and modifying the user interface, a userinterface modifying system using an SMS comprises: an applicationdownloader for downloading at least one application from the serveraccording to a granted state of the client having received the shortmessage; a function key selector/modifier for establishing a functionkey that corresponds to the downloaded application on a client mobileterminal, and modifying a name of the established function key; a drivescreen modifier for modifying a screen displayed when the downloadedapplication is driven; and an interface provider for driving theapplication that corresponds to a clicked function key and concurrentlydisplaying the modified drive screen when the established function keyis clicked.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in a mobile communicationterminal connected to a server for providing a user interfacemodifying/providing service through a wired/wireless network, the mobilecommunication terminal for receiving a short message from the server, amobile communication terminal comprises: an application downloader fordownloading at least one application from the server according to agranted state of the client having received the short message (the shortmessage is for designating a name of the application and a function keyon the mobile communication terminal corresponding to the application);a function key selector/modifier for establishing a function key thatcorresponds to the downloaded application on a client mobile terminal,and modifying a name of the established function key; a drive screenmodifier for modifying a screen displayed when the downloadedapplication is driven; and an interface provider for driving theapplication that corresponds to a clicked function key and concurrentlydisplaying the modified drive screen when the established function keyis clicked.

In a third aspect of the present invention, in a method for modifying auser interface by receiving a short message from a server in a systemconnected to the server for providing a user interfacemodifying/providing service through a wired/wireless communicationnetwork, a user interface modifying method using an SMS comprises: a)receiving, from the server, a short message on a name of an applicationand a designation of a function key on a client mobile terminalcorresponding to the application; b) downloading at least oneapplication from the server according to a granted state of the clienthaving received the short message; c) establishing a function key thatcorresponds to the downloaded application on the client mobile terminal,and modifying a name of the established function key; d) modifying adrive screen of the downloaded application; and e) driving anapplication that corresponds to a clicked function key and concurrentlydisplaying the modified drive screen when the established function keyis clicked.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a method for providingan application to a client mobile terminal and managing the applicationin a system connected to the client mobile terminal through awired/wireless network, a method for providing an applicationproviding/managing service using an SMS comprises: analyzing personalinformation on the client, and determining an application for the clientaccording to analysis results; transmitting a short message fordownloading the determined application to the client mobile terminal;providing at least one application to the client mobile terminalaccording to a granted state of the client having received the shortmessage; and providing a per-application cost to each client, andsettling the per-application cost.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a recording medium(which, as used herein, may be a removable storage medium and/ornon-removable storage medium and include, e.g., random access memory,read only memory, or any other medium known to those skilled in the artfor recording machine-readable programs) including a method forreceiving a short message from a server and modifying a user interfacein a system connected through a wired/wireless network to the server forproviding a user interface modifying/providing service, a computerreadable recording medium including a program comprises: a) receiving,from the server, a short message on a name of an application and adesignation of a function key on a client mobile terminal correspondingto the application; b) downloading at least one application from theserver according to a granted state of the client having received theshort message; c) establishing a function key that corresponds to thedownloaded application on the client mobile terminal, and modifying aname of the established function key; d) modifying a drive screen of thedownloaded application; and e) driving an application that correspondsto a clicked function key and concurrently displaying the modified drivescreen when the established function key is clicked.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a system for receiving anapplication from a server and providing and managing the application,the system being connected through a wired/wireless network to theserver for providing a subscriber interface module (SIM) card andmanaging the SIM card, an application providing and managing systemusing a SIM card comprises: a SIM card detector/reader for detecting aSIM card installed in a client mobile terminal and reading a properapplication ID stored in the detected SIM card; a datatransmitter/receiver for transmitting the read proper application ID tothe server through the wired/wireless network; and an applicationdownloader for downloading a single application selected by the clientfrom among at least one application presented by the server from theserver.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a method for receivingan application from a server and providing and managing the applicationin a system connected through a wired/wireless network to the server forproviding a subscriber interface module (SIM) card and managing the SIMcard, an application providing and managing method using a SIM cardcomprises: a) detecting a SIM card installed in a client mobileterminal, and reading a proper application ID stored in the detected SIMcard; b) transmitting the read proper application ID to the serverthrough the wired/wireless network; c) downloading a single applicationselected by the client from among at least one application presented bythe server from the server; d) establishing the function key thatcorresponds to the downloaded application on the client mobile terminalaccording to the client's selection; e) modifying a drive screendisplayed when the downloaded application is performed, according to theclient's request; and f) driving an application that corresponds to aclicked function key and concurrently displaying the modified drivescreen when the established function key is clicked.

In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in a method for providingan application to a client mobile terminal and managing the applicationin a system connected to the client mobile terminal through awired/wireless network, an application providing/managing serviceproviding method using a subscriber interface module (SIM) cardcomprises: allocating a proper ID to at least one application, andstoring the allocated proper ID in the SIM card; checking whether theapplication ID received from the client mobile terminal is a normallyallocated proper ID; and presenting at least one application accordingto checked results, and providing a single application selected by theclient from among the presented applications to the client mobileterminal.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, in a recording mediumincluding a method for receiving an application from a server andproviding and managing the application in a system connected through awired/wireless network to the server for providing a subscriberinterface module (SIM) card and managing the SIM card, a computerreadable recording medium including a program comprises: a) detecting aSIM card installed in a client mobile terminal, and reading a properapplication ID stored in the detected SIM card; b) transmitting the readproper application ID to the server through the wired/wireless network;c) downloading a single application selected by the client from among atleast one application presented by the server from the server; d)establishing the function key that corresponds to the downloadedapplication on the client mobile terminal according to the client'sselection; e) modifying a drive screen displayed when the downloadedapplication is performed, according to the client's request; and f)driving an application that corresponds to a clicked function key andconcurrently displaying the modified drive screen when the establishedfunction key is clicked.

In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a system for providing anapplication providing/managing service, the system connected to a clientmobile terminal through a wired/wireless network, a system for providingan application providing/managing service comprises: an IDallocator/manager for allocating a proper ID to each client mobileterminal, and managing the ID; a use log checker/statistic unit forperiodically checking and analyzing a use log for each client mobileterminal connected to the wired/wireless network through the allocatedproper ID for a predetermined time; an application presenter/providerfor presenting at least one application according to the analysisresults, and providing a single application selected by the client fromamong the presented applications to the client mobile terminal; and anapplication updater for updating the at least one application stored inthe client mobile terminal according to the analysis results.

In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a method forproviding an application providing/managing service to a client mobileterminal in a system connected to the client mobile terminal through awired/wireless network, a method for providing an applicationproviding/managing service comprises: a) allocating a proper ID to eachclient mobile terminal and managing the ID; b) periodically checking andanalyzing a use log for each client mobile terminal connected to thewired/wireless network through the allocated proper ID for apredetermined time; c) presenting at least one application to the clientmobile terminal according to the analysis results, and providing asingle application selected by the client from among the presentedapplications to the client mobile terminal; and d) updating the at leastone application stored in the client mobile terminal according to theanalysis results.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in a method for receivingan application from a service system and managing the application in asystem connected through a wired/wireless network to the service systemfor providing and managing applications, a method for providing andmanaging an application comprises: downloading a single application fromthe service system; establishing a function key that corresponds to thedownloaded application on the client mobile terminal according to theclient's selection, and modifying a name of the established functionkey; modifying a drive screen of the downloaded application according tothe client's request; and driving an application that corresponds to aclicked function key and concurrently displaying the modified drivescreen when the established function key is clicked.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in a recording mediumIncluding a method for providing an application providing/managingservice to a client mobile terminal in a system connected to the clientmobile terminal through a wired/wireless network, a computer readablerecording medium including a program comprises: a) allocating a properID to each client mobile terminal and managing the ID; b) periodicallychecking and analyzing a use log for each client mobile terminalconnected to the wired/wireless network through the allocated proper IDfor a predetermined time; c) presenting at least one applicationaccording to the analysis results, and providing a single applicationselected by the client from among the presented applications to theclient mobile terminal; and d) updating the at least one applicationstored in the client mobile terminal according to the analysis results.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a user interface modifying system of a mobile terminalusing an SMS according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the user interface modifyingsystem shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an operation by the user interface modifyingsystem shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 show sequential screens for receiving a short messageaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows screens for setting function keys and modifying a titleaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of an application providing and managingsystem using a SIM card according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed configuration of the application providing andmanaging system using a SIM shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an operation by the application providingand managing system using a SIM shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a system for providing an application providing andmanaging service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a detailed system for providing an application providingand managing service shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of an operation by the system for providing anapplication providing and managing service shown in FIG. 11.

BEST MODE

In the following detailed description, only the preferred embodiment ofthe invention has been shown and described, simply by way ofillustration of the best mode contemplated by the inventor(s) ofcarrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention iscapable of modification in various obvious respects, all withoutdeparting from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptionare to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive. Toclarify the present invention, parts which are not described in thespecification are omitted, and parts for which similar descriptions areprovided have the same reference numerals.

A system and method for downloading an application and providing theapplication to a mobile terminal by using an SMS will now be described.

FIG. 1 shows a user interface modifying system of a mobile terminalusing an SMS according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the user interface modifying system 100 is provided in amobile terminal 200, the mobile terminal 200 is connected to a userinterface modifying/providing server 400 through a wired/wirelesscommunication network 300, and the user interface modifying/providingserver 400 is connected to a plurality of application service providers500 and online shopping malls 600.

The user interface modifying system 100 according to the firstembodiment includes no user interface modifying/providing server 400,but other embodiments may include the same.

The above-configured user interface modifying system 100 will now bedescribed.

The user interface modifying/providing server 400 analyzes personalinformation on the respective clients (e.g., ages, occupations, hobbies,and family relationship), and transmits a short message for providing aspecific application to the mobile terminal 200 through thewired/wireless communication network 300.

The first embodiment discloses transmission of a short message forproviding a specific application according to analysis results afteranalyzing personal information on the respective clients, and the firstembodiment may also provide an appropriate application according to arequest by the client if needed.

The user interface modifying system 100 displays the received shortmessage to a monitor on the mobile terminal and downloads acorresponding application from the user interface modifying/providingserver 400 according to the client's allowance of reception.

The user interface modifying/providing server 400 is described toprovide a plurality of applications, and the application serviceprovider 500 may also directly provide the applications.

The user interface modifying system 100 controls the client to select afunction key that corresponds to the downloaded application and modifythe name of the selected function key.

In addition, the user interface modifying system 100 instantly drivesthe application corresponding to the clicked function key when theclient clicks the function key, and a screen of the driven applicationmay also be modified to another drive screen according to a request bythe client. That is, the drive screen may be modified with pictures offriends or various avatars stored in the mobile terminal 200.

In the user interface modifying method of a mobile terminal using an SMSaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, a shortmessage for directly downloading an application related to a gameaccording to per-client personal information is provided, and theapplication is directly downloaded depending on a connection state onthe received short message.

As a result, the present invention prevents the client from wasting timeand costs for downloading desired applications, and increases usageefficiencies of various function keys of each mobile terminal.

The present invention controls the client to select a function key thatcorresponds to the downloaded application, modify the name of theselected function key, and also modify the screen of the drivenapplication to a desired screen.

Therefore, the present invention provides a user interface that allowsthe client to change the application mapped on a specific function keyto another one, and thus increase service satisfaction.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the user interface modifyingsystem shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user interface modifying system 100 includes adata transmitter/receiver 110, an application downloader 120, a URLaccess unit 130, a function key selector/modifier 140, a drive screenmodifier 150, and an interface provider 160.

The user interface modifying/providing server 400 includes a clientmanager 410, an SMS provider 420, an application provider/manager 430, aURL provider/connector 440, and an expense settler/manager 450.

In detail, the client manager 410 of the user interfacemodifying/providing server 400 analyzes per-client personal information(e.g., age, hobby, occupation, and family relationship) and determineswhat application or URL is required for the client.

That is, the client manager 410 determines an application related to aspecific game (e.g., Tamagutchi) when the client's hobby is playinggames, or determines a URL of an online shopping mall for sellingbirthday gifts when a member of the client's family marks a birthday.

The SMS provider 420 transmits the determined application (or the URL)and a short message for guiding establishment of a function key thatcorresponds to the application to the mobile terminal 200 through thewired/wireless communication network 300.

The application provider/manager 430 provides at least one applicationto the mobile terminal 200 according to the connection state of thetransmitted short message, and additionally develops or manages a newapplication.

The URL provider/connector 440 controls the mobile terminal 200 toaccess at least one URL according to the connection state of thetransmitted short message, and allows searching and buying a product atthe accessed URL.

At least one application is provided and a URL access is provided in thefirst embodiment, and without being restricted to this, the applicationservice provider 500 may directly provide the application, or the onlineshopping mall 600 may directly provide the URL access.

The expense settler/manager 450 provides and settles a service charge,that is, a predetermined per-application expense (e.g., 800 Won (Koreancurrency unit)) that is provided depending on the connection state ofthe short message transmitted to the mobile terminal 200.

Next, the data transmitter/receiver 110 of the user interface modifyingsystem 100 receives the short message from the SMS provider 420 throughthe wired/wireless communication network 300, or controls theapplication granted by the client to be normally provided to the mobileterminal 200.

The application downloader 120 downloads at least one application fromthe application provider/manager 430 according to a granted state of theclient having received the short message.

The URL access unit 130 accesses a specific URL through the URLprovider/connector 440 according to the granted state of the clienthaving received the short message.

The function key selector/modifier 140 controls to select a function keythat corresponds to the downloaded application and modify the name ofthe selected function key according to the client's preference, andprovides a user interface through which the client may change theapplication mapped on the specific function key according to his will.

The function key selector/modifier 140 may modify the name of thefunction key changed by the client into another name (one of second tonth names) depending on the requirement of the client. That is, thefunction key selector/modifier 140 provides an interface for modifyingthe name of the function key corresponding to the downloaded applicationat least twice.

The drive screen modifier 150 modifies the screen displayed when thedownloaded application is driven into another drive screen with adifferent background according to the client's selection.

That is, when the client desires to change the drive screen of anapplication with a boyfriend's photo stored in the mobile terminal 200,the drive screen modifier 150 changes the drive screen of an applicationwith the photo selected by the client.

In this instance, the drive screen modifier 150 provides a previewscreen to the client and controls the client to preview the drive screenof the application and either modify the drive screen or use the drivescreen as it is.

Further, the drive screen modifier 150 controls the client to establisha single specific image as a drive screen, and randomly displays atleast one image managed by a storage box (not illustrated) in the clientmobile terminal 200 to the client, and the client then randomly selectsand drives the specific image file as a drive screen of the downloadedapplication.

When the client clicks a specific function key on the mobile terminal,the interface provider 160 instantly provides the application thatcorresponds to the clicked function key, so that the client may play thedesired game on the client's mobile terminal without accessing thenetwork each time when the downloaded application is a game-relatedapplication such as Tamagutchi.

That is, the client is prevented from wasting time and costs fordownloading desired applications, and the usage of various function keyson the mobile terminal is increased.

An operation by the above-configured user interface modifying system ofa mobile terminal using an SMS will now be described with reference todrawings.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an operation by the user interface modifyingsystem shown in FIG. 2.

As shown, the client manager 410 of the user interfacemodifying/providing server 400 analyzes per-client personal information(ages, hobbies, occupations, and family relationship) and determineswhat application (or URL) is required for the client in step S301.

That is, the client manager 410 determines an application related to aspecific game (e.g., Tamagutchi) when the client' hobby is playing games(or determines a URL of an online book shopping mall when the client'hobby is reading books).

The SMS provider 420 transmits the determined application (or URL) and ashort message for guiding setting of a function key corresponding to theapplication to the mobile terminal 200 through the wired/wirelesscommunication network 300 in step S302.

The data transmitter/receiver 110 of the user interface modifying system100 receives a short message from the SMS provider 420 in step S303, andFIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate exemplary short messages in this case.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the short message includes an application tobe downloaded by the client through a coupon receiving process andcontents for setting function keys of the application, and guides how tomodify the user interface.

The application downloader 120 downloads a corresponding applicationfrom the application provider/manager 430 in steps S305 and S306depending on the granted state of the client having received the shortmessage in step S304.

When the client requests a URL access corresponding to the onlineshopping mall, the URL access unit 130 accesses a specific URL throughthe URL provider/connector 440.

The expense settler/manager 450 provides and settles a service charge(e.g., 800 Won), that is, a cost for each application downloaded to themobile terminal 200 in step S307.

The function key selector/modifier 140 controls the client to select afunction key corresponding to the downloaded application and modify thename of the selected function key according to the client's preferencein step S308. FIG. 5 shows an exemplified method for setting thefunction key and modifying the name.

FIG. 7 shows screens for setting function keys and modifying a titleaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the function key selector/modifier 140 modifies theinterface of the function key having a search name into the interfacecalled “Today” according to the request by the client.

The drive screen modifier 150 modifies the screen displayed when thedownloaded application is driven into a drive screen having a differentbackground according to the client's selection in step S309.

That is, when the client attempts to change the current drive screen ofan application with the boyfriend's photo stored in the client's mobileterminal 200, the drive screen modifier 150 modifies the drive screenwith the photo file selected by the client.

In this instance, the drive screen modifier 150 provides a previewscreen to the client, and the client previews the drive screen of theapplication and either modifies the drive screen or uses the same as itis.

When the client clicks a specific function key on the mobile terminal,the interface provider 160 instantly provides an applicationcorresponding to the clicked function key in step S310. Therefore, thepresent invention provides a user interface through which the client canrandomly exchange the application mapped on the specific function key.

A system and method for downloading an application and providing theapplication to the mobile terminal by using a SIM card will now bedescribed.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of an application providing/managing systemusing a SIM card according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the application providing/managing system 1100 isrespectively included in first to n client mobile terminals 1301 to 1300n, and the client mobile terminal 1300 is connected to a SIM cardproviding/managing server 1500 through a wired/wireless communicationnetwork 1400.

The SIM card providing and managing server 1500 is also connected to anapplication service provider 1600, and the respective client mobileterminals 1301 to 1300 n have a configuration with a removable andattachable SIM card 1200 according to the second embodiment.

The above-configured application providing and managing system 1100using a SIM card will now be described.

The SIM card providing/managing server 1500 newly develops and managesat least one application by allocating an ID for each application, andstores the allocated ID in the SIM card according to the secondembodiment. Accordingly, the SIM card has subscriber information such asa user password, data for network registration, and IDs for respectiveapplications.

The application providing/managing system 1100 uses the SIM card as anapplication supply card for downloading at least one application insteadof using the SIM card as a smart card for user certification, whichextends the usage of the SIM card.

The client buys a SIM card that stores an ID of the desired applicationby paying a predetermined amount of money, and installs the SIM card inthe mobile terminal 1300.

The application providing/managing system 1100 of the client mobileterminal 1300 detects data of the SIM card installed in the terminal,reads an application ID from the subscriber information stored in theSIM card 1200, checks whether an application ID that corresponds to theread application ID is stored in the client mobile terminal 1300, andtransmits the read application ID to the SIM card providing/managingserver 1500 through the wired/wireless communication network 1400 whenno corresponding application ID is found according to checked results.

The SIM card providing/managing server 1500 provides at least oneapplication that is downloadable by the client mobile terminal 1300 tothe client according to the received application ID, and the applicationproviding/managing system 1100 selects an application according to theclient's selection.

The application providing/managing system 1100 downloads the applicationselected by the client, establishes the function key that corresponds tothe downloaded application according to the client's selection, andcorrects the name of the established function key according to theclient's selection.

The SIM card providing/managing server 1500 is described in theembodiment to provide a plurality of applications, and without beingrestricted to this, it is also possible to transmit the application IDto the server of the application service provider 1600 and control theserver thereof to directly provide at least one application.

The application providing/managing system 1100 instantly drives theapplication corresponding to a clicked function key when the clientclicks the function key, and in this instance, it is possible to changethe screen of the driven application to a different drive screenaccording to the request by the client. That is, the applicationproviding/managing system 1100 may change the look of the drive screenby using friends' photos, images, or avatars stored in the client mobileterminal 1300.

When the client clicks a specific function key, the applicationproviding/managing system 1100 drives an application that corresponds tothe clicked function key and concurrently displays the changed drivescreen to thereby provide a user interface that allows the client torandomly change the application mapped on the specific function key.

The application providing/managing system using a SIM card according tothe second embodiment extends the usage of the SIM card that was used asa user identification card to a card that may be used for easilydownloading at least one application, thereby increasing servicesatisfaction of the client and service providers.

Further, the present invention allows the client to select a functionkey corresponding to the downloaded application, modify the name of theselected function key according to the client's preference, and changethe drive screen of the executed application with a desired screen.

A detailed configuration of the application providing/managing systemusing a SIM card will now be described.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed configuration of the application providing andmanaging system using a SIM shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 9, the application providing and managing system 1100using a SIM includes a SIM card detector/reader 1110, an applicationchecker 1120, a data transmitter/receiver 1130, an applicationdownloader 1140, a function key selector/modifier 1150, a drive screenmodifier 1160, and an interface provider 1170.

The SIM card providing/managing server 1500 includes an applicationmanager 1510, an ID allocator/recorder 1520, an information checker1530, an application provider 1540, and an expense settler/manager 1550.

The application manager 1510 manages at least one application, andadditionally develops and manages new applications.

The ID allocator/recorder 1520 allocates a proper ID to eachapplication, and records the ID in the SIM card according to the secondembodiment.

The information checker 1530 checks SIM card detection results providedby the client mobile terminal 1300 through the wired/wirelesscommunication network 1400 and checks normal data states. That is, theinformation checker 1530 checks whether the application ID in thedetection results is an ID that is normally issued by the IDallocator/recorder 1520.

The application provider 1540 provides at least one applicationaccording to checked information results, and provides a singleapplication to the client mobile terminal 1300 according to the client'sselection.

The expense settler/manager 1550 provides and settles a service charge,that is, a predetermined per-application cost (e.g., 800 Won) providedto the client mobile terminal 1300.

When a SIM card 1200 is installed in the client mobile terminal 1300,the SIM card detector/reader 1110 detects the installed SIM card andreads various types of information stored in the SIM card.

That is, the SIM card detector/reader 1110 reads a proper application IDfrom subscriber information recorded in the SIM card 1200.

The application checker 1120 checks whether an ID that corresponds tothe application ID in the read data is stored in the client mobileterminal 1300.

The data transmitter/receiver 1130 transmits the read proper applicationID to the SIM card providing/managing server 1500 through thewired/wireless communication network 1400 when no correspondingapplication ID is found according to checked results.

The application downloader 1140 downloads a single application, selectedby the client from among the plural applications provided by the SIMcard providing/managing server 1500, to the client mobile terminal 1300.

The function key selector/modifier 1150 selects a function key thatcorresponds to the downloaded application according to the client'sselection, modifies the name of the selected function key according tothe client's preference, and thereby provides a user interface thatallows the client to randomly change the application mapped on thespecific function key.

The function key selector/modifier 1140 may modify the name of thefunction key changed by the client into another name (one of second tonth names) depending on the requirement of the client. That is, thefunction key selector/modifier 1140 provides an interface for modifyingthe name of the function key corresponding to the downloaded applicationat least twice.

The drive screen modifier 1160 modifies the screen displayed when thedownloaded application is executed into another drive screen with adifferent background according to the client's selection.

That is, when the client desires to change the drive screen of anapplication with a boyfriend's photo stored in the mobile terminal 1300,the drive screen modifier 1160 changes the drive screen of anapplication with the photo selected by the client.

In this instance, the drive screen modifier 1160 provides a previewscreen to the client and controls the client to preview the drive screenof the application and either modify the drive screen or use the drivescreen as it is. In this instance, the drive screen modifier 1160 mayestablish a function of displaying random images in an image storage box(not illustrated) as well as a single image.

When the client clicks a specific function key on the terminal, theinterface provider 1170 instantly provides the application thatcorresponds to the clicked function key and also displays the modifieddrive screen.

An operation of the above-configured application providing/managingsystem using a SIM card will now be described.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an operation by the applicationproviding/managing system using a SIM shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ID allocator/recorder 1520 allocates a properID to each application, and records the ID in the SIM card according tothe second embodiment in step S1301.

When the client installs a SIM card 1200 storing a proper application IDin the mobile terminal 1300, the SIM card detector/reader 1110 detectsthe installed SIM card and reads various types of information stored inthe SIM card in step S1302.

That is, the SIM card detector/reader 1110 reads network registrationinformation and a proper application ID from subscriber informationrecorded in the SIM card 1200.

The application checker 1120 checks whether an ID that corresponds tothe application ID in the read data is stored in the client mobileterminal 1300 in step S1303, and the data transmitter/receiver 1130transmits the read proper application ID to the SIM cardproviding/managing server 1500 through the wired/wireless communicationnetwork 1400 in step S1304 when no corresponding application ID isfound.

The information checker 1530 checks SIM card detection results providedby the client mobile terminal 1300 and checks normal data states in stepS1305. That is, the information checker 1530 checks whether theapplication ID is an ID that is normally issued by the IDallocator/recorder 1520.

The application provider 1540 provides at least one applicationaccording to checked information results, and provides a singleapplication to the client mobile terminal 1300 according to the client'sselection in step S1306.

The application downloader 1140 downloads the single applicationselected by the client from the SIM card providing/managing server 1500in step S1307.

The expense settler/manager 1550 provides and settles a service charge,that is, a per-application cost (e.g., 800 Won) provided to the clientmobile terminal 1300 in step S1308.

The function key selector/modifier 1150 controls the client to select afunction key that corresponds to the downloaded application, modifiesthe name of the selected function key according to the client'spreference at least twice in step S1309.

The drive screen modifier 1160 modifies the drive screen displayed whenthe downloaded application is executed into another drive screen with adifferent background according to the client's selection in step S1310.

That is, when the client desires to change the drive screen of anapplication with a boyfriend's photo stored in the mobile terminal 1300,the drive screen modifier 1160 changes the drive screen of anapplication with the photo selected by the client.

In this instance, the drive screen modifier 1160 provides a previewscreen to the client and controls the client to preview the drive screenof the application and either modifies the drive screen or uses thedrive screen as it is.

When the client clicks a specific function key on the terminal, theinterface provider 1170 instantly provides the application thatcorresponds to the clicked function key and also displays the modifieddrive screen in step S1311, thereby providing a user interface throughwhich the client may randomly exchange the application mapped on aspecific function key.

A system and method for providing an application to the client mobileterminal and managing the same will now be described.

FIG. 11 shows a system for providing an application providing/managingservice according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, the system 2100 for providing an applicationproviding/managing service is connected to a plurality of client mobileterminals 2301 to 2300 n through a wired/wireless communication network2200, and each of client mobile terminals 2301 to 2300 n includes anapplication service receiver 2400.

The above-configured system 2100 for providing an applicationproviding/managing service will now be described.

The system 2100 for providing an application providing/managing servicerespectively allocates a proper ID to the client who desires to receivethe application providing/managing service according to the thirdembodiment.

The third embodiment describes the allocation of proper ID to eachclient, and without being restricted to this, it is possible to use atelephone number of the client mobile terminal as a proper ID.

On allocating the proper ID, the system 2100 for providing anapplication providing/managing service provides basic applications (asdefault) to the client mobile terminal 2300 according to the clientpersonal information (e.g., sex, occupation, and hobby).

When the client accesses the wired/wireless communication network 2200by using the allocated proper ID, the system 2100 for providing anapplication providing/managing service checks a usage pattern (e.g., anevent log) of the mobile terminal 2300. That is, the system 2100 checks,for a predetermined period, the usage patterns including URLs accessedby the client mobile terminal 2300 and applications driven by the same.

The system 2100 for providing an application providing/managing serviceprovides at least one application to the client mobile terminal 2300according to checked results, and the client selects a singleapplication from the provided applications to thus receive anapplication of new version or of his preference.

The system 2100 for providing an application providing/managing servicerepeats the above process to update the application of the client mobileterminal.

Accordingly, the system 2100 for providing an applicationproviding/managing service increases service satisfaction byperiodically providing and updating applications desired by the clientor new applications for each client mobile terminal.

The application service receiver 2400 selects a function key on theterminal that corresponds to the application downloaded from the system2100 for providing an application providing/managing service accordingto the client's selection, and modifies the name of the selectedfunction key service according to the client's selection.

In addition, the application service receiver 2400 directly performs theapplication that corresponds to the clicked function key when the clientclicks the function key, and modifies the drive screen of the executedapplication to a different drive screen according to the client'srequest. That is, the application service receiver 2400 modifies thedrive screen With friends' photos or various avatars stored in theclient mobile terminal 2300.

As described, the system 2100 for providing an applicationproviding/managing service allows the client to select the function keythat corresponds to the provided application, modify the name of theselected function key according to the client's preference, and changethe screen of the driven application with a desired screen.

Therefore, the present invention increases service satisfaction byproviding a user interface through which the client may randomlyexchange the application mapped on a specific function key.

A detailed configuration of the above-configured system for providing anapplication providing/managing service will now be described.

FIG. 12 shows a detailed system for providing an applicationproviding/managing service shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, the system 2100 for providing an applicationproviding/managing service includes an application manager 2110, an IDallocator/manager 2120, a use log checker/statistic unit 2130, andapplication presenter/provider 2140, an application updater 2150, and anexpense settler/manager 2160.

The application service receiver 2400 includes a network access unit2410, a data transmitter/receiver 2420, an application downloader 2430,a function selector/modifier 2440, a drive screen modifier 2450, and aninterface provider 2460.

In detail, the application manager 2110 stores and manages at least oneapplication, and manages new applications by additionally developing andupdating the new applications.

The ID allocator/manager 2120 allocates a proper ID to each client whorequests the application providing/managing service according to thethird embodiment, and sorts and manages the allocated proper IDaccording to a predetermined reference. If needed, the IDallocator/manager 2120 may sort and manage the telephone number of theclient mobile terminal as a proper ID.

The use log checker/statistic unit 2130 checks the use log of the clientmobile terminal connected to the network 2200 by using the allocatedproper ID for a predetermined period, and sorts checked resultsaccording to a predetermined reference.

The application presenter/provider 2140 presents at least oneapplication to the client mobile terminal 2300 according to results ofchecking use logs of client mobile terminals, and provides a singleapplication to the client mobile terminal 2300 according to the client'sselection.

The application updater 2150 additionally provides applications of newversions and updates the applications stored in the client mobileterminal 2300 according to the results of checking use logs of clientmobile terminals or personal information.

The expense settler/manager 2160 provides and settles a service charge(e.g., 800 Won), that is, a per-application cost for a new applicationor an updated application provided to the client mobile terminal 2300.

The network access unit 2410 of the application service receiver 2400accesses a specific URL through the wired/wireless communication network2200 according to the client's selection.

The data transmitter/receiver 2420 controls data transmission/receptionto/from the system 2100 for providing an application providing/managingservice through the wired/wireless communication network 2200.

The application downloader 2430 downloads at least one application fromthe application presenter/provider 2140 and downloads an updatedapplication for the stored application from the application updater 2150according to the granted state of the client.

The function selector/modifier 2440 selects a function key correspondingto the downloaded application, and modifies the name of the selectedfunction key to thus provide a user interface through which the clientmay exchange the application mapped on a specific function key.

The drive screen modifier 2450 modifies the drive screen displayed whenthe downloaded application is performed to a drive screen with adifferent background according to the client's selection. In thisinstance, the drive screen modifier 2450 provides a preview screen tothe client so that the client may preview the drive screen of theapplication and either modify the drive screen or use the same as it is.

When the client clicks a specific function key on the terminal, theinterface provider 2460 provides an application corresponding to theclicked function key and concurrently provides a modified drive screen.

The system for providing an application providing/managing serviceaccording to the third embodiment is described to periodically check andanalyze use logs for each mobile terminal and provide an appropriateapplication to the corresponding mobile terminal, and without beingrestricted to this, the system may search and provide the applicationrecommended by the client.

An operation of the above-configured system for providing an applicationproviding/managing service will now be described.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of an operation by the system for providing anapplication providing and managing service shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ID allocator/manager 2120 allocates a proper IDfor each client mobile terminal in step S2301, and the applicationpresenter/provider 2140 provides basic applications (as default)according to the client personal information (e.g., sex, occupation, andhobby) in step S2302.

That is, the application presenter/provider 2140 provides appropriatebasic applications according to the client's sex or occupation.

The network access unit 2410 allows the client to access thewired/wireless communication network 2200 based on a dedicated ID givento the client in step S2303, or perform the application stored in themobile terminal 2300.

The use log checker/statistic unit 2130 checks use logs for therespective client mobile terminals according to the allocated properIDs, analyzes checked results, and generates the analyzed results intostatistic data in step S2304.

The application presenter/provider 2140 presents at least oneapplication appropriate for the client according to the use log analysisresults, and provides a single application selected by the client fromamong the presented applications to the corresponding client mobileterminal in step S2305.

The application downloader 2430 of the application service receiver 2400downloads a single application in step S2306.

The application updater 2150 repeats the above process to update theapplication stored in the client mobile terminal in step S2307 orprovide a new application and thereby increase service satisfaction.

The expense settler/manager 2160 provides and settles a service charge,that is, an application cost for a new application or an updatedapplication for each client mobile terminal in step S2308.

The function selector/modifier 2440 selects a function key correspondingto the downloaded application according to the client' selection, andmodifies the name of the selected function key according to the client'spreference in step S2309.

The drive screen modifier 2450 modifies the drive screen displayed whenthe downloaded application is performed to a drive screen with adifferent background according to the client's selection in step S2310.

That is, when the client desires to change the drive screen of theapplication with a boyfriend's photo stored in the client mobileterminal 2300, the drive screen modifier 2450 modifies the drive screenof the application with the photo file selected by the client.

In this instance, the drive screen modifier 2450 provides a previewscreen to the client so that the client may preview the drive screen ofthe application and either modify the drive screen or use the same as itis.

When the client clicks a specific function key on the terminal, theinterface provider 2460 provides an application corresponding to theclicked function key in step S2311, and concurrently provides a modifieddrive screen.

Therefore, the present invention provides a user interface through whichthe client may randomly exchange the application mapped on a specificfunction key.

Also, the system and method for providing an applicationproviding/managing service increases service satisfaction by updatingthe stored applications for each client mobile terminal or periodicallyproviding new applications.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, time and cost for downloadingapplications are saved by directly downloading the applicationsaccording to a granted state of connection on the received shortmessage.

Also, the usage of SIM card is extended by using the SIM card not onlyas a smart card for user certification but also as a card fordownloading at least one application.

Further, the client's service satisfaction is increased by periodicallychecking the use logs for respective client mobile terminals andupdating stored applications, or by periodically providing newapplications.

In addition, a user interface through which the client may exchange theapplication mapped on a specific function key is provided by allowingthe client to select a function key that corresponds to the downloadedapplication and modify the name of the selected function key.

1. A user interface modifying system for receiving a short message froma server and modifying a user interface using a short message service(SMS), comprising: an application downloader for downloading anapplication from the server according to a granted state of a clientmobile terminal having received the short message, the short messagecomprising information for providing the application according toanalysis results after analyzing personal information of a user of theclient mobile terminal; a function key selector/modifier forestablishing a function key that corresponds to the application that wasdownloaded on the client mobile terminal, and modifying a name of thefunction key; a drive screen modifier for modifying a drive screendisplayed when the application is driven; an interface provider fordriving the application and concurrently displaying the drive screen asmodified in response to the function key being clicked, wherein thedownloading of the application is dependent on a connection state of theshort message, and wherein the short message includes a guide forestablishing the function key on the client mobile terminalcorresponding to the application; and the server comprising: a clientmanager that is configured to analyze the personal information on theclient mobile terminal, and determine the application for the clientmobile terminal according to analysis results; an SMS providerconfigured to transmit the short message for downloading the determinedapplication to the client mobile terminal; an applicationprovider/manager configured to provide the application to the clientmobile terminal according to the granted state of the client mobileterminal having received the short message; and an expensesettler/manager configured to provide to each client a per-applicationcost associated with the application provided, and settling theper-application cost.
 2. The user interface modifying system of claim 1,wherein the server further comprises a uniform resource locator (URL)provider/manager for providing a URL of an online shopping mall thatsells products desired by a client and for providing access to theclient mobile terminal.
 3. The user interface modifying system of claim1, wherein the function key selector/modifier modifies the name of themodified function key at least twice according to the client'sselection.
 4. The user interface modifying system of claim 1, whereinthe drive screen modifier previews the modified drive screen on theclient mobile terminal.
 5. The user interface modifying system of claim1, wherein the short message includes a name of the application.
 6. Asystem comprising: a mobile communication terminal comprising: anapplication downloader for downloading an application from a serveraccording to a granted state of the mobile communication terminal havingreceived a short message, wherein the short message includes a name ofthe application and a guide for establishing a function key on themobile communication terminal corresponding to the application, andwherein the application is determined according to analysis resultsafter analyzing personal information of a user of the mobilecommunication terminal by the server; a function key selector/modifierfor establishing a function key that corresponds to the application thatwas downloaded on the mobile communication terminal, and modifying thename of the function key; a drive screen modifier for modifying a screendisplayed when the application is driven; and an interface provider fordriving the application and concurrently displaying the drive screen asmodified in response to the function key being clicked, wherein thedownloading of the application is dependent on a connection state of theshort message; and the server comprising: a client manager that isconfigured to analyze the personal information on the mobilecommunication terminal, and determine the application for the mobilecommunication terminal according to the analysis results; an SMSprovider configured to transmit the short message for downloading thedetermined application to the mobile communication terminal; anapplication provider/manager configured to provide the application tothe mobile communication terminal according to the granted state of themobile communication terminal having received the short message; and anexpense settler/manager configured to provide to each client aper-application cost associated with the application provided, andsettling the per-application cost.
 7. A method for modifying a userinterface by receiving a short message from a server in a systemconnected to the server for providing a user interface service through acommunication network, a user interface modifying method using a shortmessage service (SMS), comprising: analyzing personal information on aclient mobile terminal; determining an application for the client mobileterminal according to the analysis results; transmitting the shortmessage for downloading the application to the client mobile terminal;receiving, from the server, the short message including a name of theapplication and a guide for establishing a function key on the clientmobile terminal corresponding to the application; providing theapplication to the client mobile terminal according to a granted stateof the client mobile terminal having received the transmitted shortmessage; downloading the application from the server according to thegranted state of the client mobile terminal having received the shortmessage; establishing the function key that corresponds to theapplication that was downloaded on the client mobile terminal; modifyinga name of the function key; modifying a drive screen of the applicationthat was downloaded; driving the application and concurrently displayingthe drive screen as modified in response to the function key beingclicked, wherein the downloading of the application is dependent on aconnection state of the short message; providing to each client aper-application cost associated with the application provided; andsettling the per-application cost.
 8. A non-transitory recording mediumincluding a program, comprising: analyzing personal information on aclient mobile terminal; determining an application for the client mobileterminal according to analysis results; transmitting a short message fordownloading the application to the client mobile terminal; receiving,from the server, the short message including a name of an applicationand a guide for establishing a function key on the client mobileterminal corresponding to the application; downloading the applicationfrom the server according to the granted state of the client mobileterminal having received the short message; establishing the functionkey that corresponds to the application that was downloaded on theclient mobile terminal; modifying a name of the function key; modifyinga drive screen of the application that was downloaded; driving theapplication and concurrently displaying the drive screen as modified inresponse to the function key being clicked, wherein the downloading ofthe application is dependent on a connection state of the short message;providing to each client a per-application cost associated with theapplication provided; and settling the per-application cost.
 9. A methodfor receiving an application from a service system and managing theapplication in a system connected through a network to the servicesystem for providing and managing applications, a method for providingand managing an application, comprising: analyzing personal informationon a client mobile terminal; determining the application for the clientmobile terminal according to the analysis results; transmitting a shortmessage for downloading the application to the client mobile terminal;providing the application to the client mobile terminal according to agranted state of the client mobile terminal having received thetransmitted short message; downloading an application from the servicesystem according to the granted state of the client mobile terminalhaving received the short message; establishing a function key thatcorresponds to the application that was downloaded on the client mobileterminal according to a selection received by the client mobileterminal; modifying a name of the function key; modifying a drive screenof the application that was downloaded, wherein the modifying isaccording to a request received by the client mobile terminal; drivingthe application and concurrently displaying the drive screen as modifiedin response to the function key being clicked, wherein the downloadingof the application is dependent on a connection state of the shortmessage, and wherein the short message includes a guide for establishingthe function key on the client mobile terminal corresponding to theapplication providing to each client a per-application cost associatedwith the application provided; and settling the per-application cost.